7-11-08
#14
Sports
program fundraisers face August 10 deadline
The
City of Mount Vernon school district is currently in an
unimaginable crisis mode, having to raise $950,000
to preserve
its entire sports program. The crisis developed when a
small percentage of citizens,
2,342 to be
exact, voted to reject the second school district budget
at the polls. The small turnout of voters has shocked
many, since Mount Vernon has a school district
population of nearly 10,000 students in its 16 schools.
Currently, there is a valiant effort in place to raise
$300,000 by August 10, otherwise,
football and
other fall sports teams will be axed by league
officials, according to Ronnie Cox, president of the
Mount Vernon Educational Foundation.
On Wednesday, July 10, at a hastily arranged press
conference on the steps of City Hall, Mayor Clinton I.
Young, along with numerous city and school officials,
pleaded with the public to assist with the fund raising
effort. During the press conference, Mayor Young
and school officials announced a campaign calling for
5,000 people to donate $100 each to help rescue the
school district's revered sports program.
Many Mount Vernon citizens are blaming the current
crisis on school officials, since school district
spending has spiraled out of control, not only in Mount
Vernon, but across the country, creating a financial
burden on taxpayers. "The school district must learn to
do more with less and keep their spending under
control," said one woman who attended the press
conference. Another gentleman in attendance, Juan Colon,
stated: "I don't have kids in the school system anymore,
but I don't mind paying school taxes, since the money is
going to a great cause. They just have to learn to cut
back on certain things and manage their money better."
The press conference commenced with opening remarks
from Mount Vernon City
Clerk, Lisa Copeland, who quickly introduced Mayor Young
to the large gathering of press members and the public.
Mayor Young, who never lacks a sense of humor when
speaking in public, approached the podium wearing a
Mount Vernon baseball cap, and jokingly explained why.
To his immediate right were about two dozen Mount Vernon
High School athletes all wearing a look of concern on
their faces.
"The attention that has been generated in reference to
why we are here today has been overwhelming. I have
attended many meetings lately, and many people have
reached out to me on the subject of saving the sports
program in Mount Vernon," said Mayor Young.
Following Mayor Young at the podium was newly elected
president of the Board of Education, Charles Stern. "The
Board of Education was faced with a shortage of funding
recently, and we had to make a critical and strategic
choice to put the academic needs of children first. The
elimination of interscholastic sports was a tough
decision and we are deeply aware about the implications
of our choice. We are currently working closely with the
mayor of Mount Vernon; with the Mount Vernon Educational
Foundation and with charitable contributors. And it is
our hope that by way of these efforts, we will be able
to bring back sports in Mount Vernon," said Stern.
Copeland next asked Dr. Sawyer to address the press and
the public. "It is important for us to come together as
a community. This is a challenge that goes beyond the
need of sports. This is a challenge for all of our
children in every field. It needs to be clear that we
lost a number of things in this particular program. We
lost excellent teachers that our young people
appreciated and helped make a difference for them. We
lost a lot of administrative leaders in this process.
But there is a bigger picture and we need to look at the
whole picture. Mount Vernon's progress lies within the
success of its schools. We want the entire city of Mount
Vernon to continue to feel confident in our schools;
confident in our community; and confident that this is a
place to raise our children so they can get the best
education in the world. Please understand that we are
not deterred. We feel that the students must be entitled
to the best education, and we are going to see to it
that everyone that is in our community - school and
community at large - contributes to that progress," said
Dr. Sawyer.
There was a parade of speakers at the press conference,
but those in attendance were waiting for Mayor Young to
introduce one guest speaker who was holding a $25,000
check in his hand - Jeff Cooney. Cooney, a former Mount
Vernon resident, award winning film director, and Holy
Cross wide receiver, proved to be the first major donor
to step up and give to the campaign to Save Our Sports
in Mount Vernon with the presentation of a $25,000 check
to Mayor Young. Cooney has shown a consistent display of
generosity, already giving $25,000 a year to Mount
Vernon’s Football Program for the past five years to run
“Play It Smart” -
a mentoring program sponsored by
The National
Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
"This year, the money will be directed to saving the
Mount Vernon sports program," said Cooney.
At the conclusion of the press conference, many in
attendance walked quickly towards Mayor Young with
$100.00 bills in their hands and check books at the
ready.
A partial view of MVHS athletes and coaches
Mayor
Young wearing a Mt. Vernon baseball cap during his
speech
Newly elected BOE president, Charles Stern
MVHS
girls basketball coach, Patrice Moore
Ric Wright, boys' varsity football coach
Ronnie Cox, president of the Mount Vernon Educational
Foundation
